Hunting
Please note: Significant changes to AKC Hunting Test Regulations will go into effect in 2012!
Labrador Retrievers are outstanding gun dogs, bred to hunt waterfowl and upland game under difficult conditions. Hunt tests and field trials are used to demonstrate the Labrador's exceptional hunting abilities.
The Labrador Retriever Club of Greater Boston runs several AKC-sanctioned hunt tests per year. Information about upcoming tests and results from past tests will be posted here.
Rules and regulations can be obtained from the AKC Retriever Hunt Test page. Up-to-date listings of all upcoming AKC hunt tests and field trials events in the New England area are available from the AKC Events Search page.
Working Certificate
LRCGB also offers the less competitive working certificate (WC). A dog that fulfills the working certificate requirements has demonstrated that it is not gun-shy and willing to retrieve birds on land and in water. In addition to the working certificate, LRCGB also offers a WC Intermediate (WCI) and WC Excellent (WCX) title. The requirements are similar to AKC senior and master hunt tests but test only a dog's marking abilities and do not require any blind handling skills by dogs or handlers.WCI and WCX are club titles and not recognized by the LRC. The WC/I/X tests take place in July.
If you're interested in training your young Labrador to become an enthusiastic retriever, join the Beginning Retrievers Field Training Class, offered by LRCGB each spring at the Delaney Wildlife Management Area in Stow, MA.
The next class will be held for eight weeks on Tuesday afternoons, starting April 24, 2012. Check back here for details after March 1, or contact Kate O'Brien for more information.
We will again have a guided training group for all levels of experience on Tuesday nights at Delaney, from March 20 through October 9, 2012. Check back here in February or March for online signup.
Quote from Margaret Stubbs:
The Delaney Group had a phenomenal year (2011). There were many
titles at all levels. AND six dogs qualified for and ran in the Master
National Retriever Hunt Test in Maryland in October! All six
teams are graduates of Karen Kase’s Beginner Field Training
Class and are grateful for the solid foundation and sound start
she gave us in field work and for her continuing guidance and
encouragement.
| Date |
Event |
Location |
Closes |
Info |
| Mar 20, 2012 |
Start of weekly field training group |
Stow, MA |
March |
Info |
| Apr 21-22, 2012 |
Spring Hunt Test |
TBD |
TBD |
Info |
| Apr 24, 2012 |
Start of Beginning Retrievers training class |
Stow, MA |
March |
Info |
| Jun 2012 |
Flyer Day |
TBD |
TBD |
Info |
| Jul 15, 2012 |
Working Certificate Test |
Hopkinton, NH |
TBD |
Info |
| Sep 22-23, 2012 |
Fall Hunt Test |
TBD |
TBD |
Info |
Past Events
| Date |
Event |
Location |
Results |
Photos |
| Sep 24-25, 2011 |
Fall Hunt Test |
Putnam, CT |
Results |
|
| Jul 17, 2011 |
Working Certificate Test |
Hopkinton, NH |
|
Photos |
| Jun 11, 2011 |
Flyer Day |
Danielson, CT |
|
|
| Apr 22-24, 2011 |
Spring Hunt Test |
Simsbury, CT |
Results |
Photos |
| Sep 24-26. 2010 |
Fall Hunt Test |
Woodstock, CT |
Results |
|
| Jul 18, 2010 |
Working Certificate |
Hopkinton, NH |
|
Photos |
| Apr 24-25, 2010 |
Spring Hunt Test |
Simsbury, CT |
Results |
Photos |
| Sep 19-20, 2009 |
Fall Hunt Test |
Woodstock, CT |
Results |
Photos |
| Jul 19, 2009 |
Working Certificate Test |
Hopkinton, NH |
Results |
Photos
Photos |
| Jun 20, 2009 |
Flyer Day |
Gardner, MA |
|
|
| Jun 6-7, 2009 |
Pat Daignault Seminar |
Fremont, NH |
|
|
| Apr 25-26, 2009 |
Spring Hunt Test |
Simsbury, CT |
Results |
Photos |
| Aug 16-17, 2008 |
Fall Hunt Test |
West Thompson, CT |
Results |
Photos |
| Jul 20, 2008 |
Working Certificate |
Hopkinton, NH |
Results |
Photos |
| Jul 12, 2008 |
Flyer Day |
Gardner, MA |
|
|
| Apr 26-27, 2008 |
Spring Hunt Test |
Gardner, MA |
Results |
Photos |
| Apr 19-20, 2008 |
Hunt Test Know-How Workshop |
Putnam, CT |
|
|
| Sep 21-23, 2007 |
Fall Hunt Test |
Woodstock, CT |
Results |
|
| Jul 22, 2007 |
Working Certificate |
Hopkinton, NH |
Results |
Photos |
| Apr 28-29, 2007 |
Spring Hunt Test |
Gardner, MA |
Results |
Photos
Photos |
| Sep 22, 2006 |
Fall Hunt Test |
Woodstock, CT |
Results |
Photos |
| Apr 29, 2006 |
Spring Hunt Test |
Addieville East, RI |
Results |
Photos |
|
